Melissa Hart, John Boehner: Leaders

Melisssa Hart with John Boehner (R, Ohio, Minority Leader) in Pittsburgh area on Friday. Former Congresswoman Hart is fighting to regain her congressional seat against Jason Altmire. It's been called "the country's most important congressional race." I've written several columns about Altmire, a full-time mudslinger and an individual who systematically misled voters in the 4th Congressional District of Pennsylvania, especially on the subject of Iraq. If you'd like to learn more about how you can support Melissa Hart, please visit her site at: http://peoplewithhart.com/.

I'll be writing next week about how Altmire's campaign is being financed by radical elements in American politics. If you'd like a sneak peek, go to open secrets.org and type in the name "Altmire."

HOUSE LEADER JOHN BOEHNER JOINS HART

TO AGAIN CALL ON ALTMIRE TO END HIS SILENCE

Cranberry Township, PA – Today, former Congresswoman Melissa Hart was joined by Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) for a press conference to call on Jason Altmire to end his silence and condemn the remarks made by Barack Obama one week ago.

“I find it disturbing that Jason Altmire has continued to stay silent regarding these insulting remarks. As a life long resident of Western Pennsylvania, I know the people here are proud of their values, families and faith. We certainly don’t cling to religion and sportsmen traditions out of bitterness,” said Melissa Hart.

“With each passing day, it has becomes more clear that Jason Altmire pays more attention to his national political profile than his constituents’ concerns. Governor Rendell and other top Democrats have rightly criticized Obama’s remarks,” said Hart.

Congressman Boehner added, “It’s time for Barack Obama to apologize to voters here in Pennsylvania and across the Midwest. And it’s time for his supporters in Congress to defend their constituents and denounce Obama’s patronizing rhetoric.”

Boehner continued, “Midwest voters aren’t ‘bitter;’ they’re for freedom. Freedom from higher taxes. Freedom to practice their faith. Freedom to exercise their Constitutional rights,” Boehner concluded. “That Obama and Altmire don’t understand that shows how out of touch they are.”

Altmire has been seen at many Barack Obama campaign events across Western Pennsylvania, including the event where Senator Bob Casey endorsed Barack Obama.

The only statement Altmire has made since the “bitter” remarks about Obama was in last Sunday’s Washington Post, saying "the more people get to know him, the more they like him."

Note: Anyone who'd like to learn more about Melissa Hart should visit her web site at: http://peoplewithhart.com.

McCain Supporters: Reject Altmire

In the 4th congressional district of Pennsylvania (north and west of Pittsburgh), perhaps the most important race in the country (aside from the presidential battle) is shaping up. It pits former congresswoman Melissa Hart against Rep. Jason Altmire.

Altmire seeks to portray himself as a "conservative" Democrat. However, he voted for the Iraq War timetable (after telling voters he would not do so). He also voted for federal funding of embryonic stem cell research (after telling voters he was pro-life). And he opposes the Medicare Prescription Drug benefit (after telling seniors they had his undying love).

Recently, one of Altmire's minions challenged me on my statement that Altmire supports the largest tax increase in American history. The situation is this: the congressman backs Nancy Pelosi's and Charlie Rangel's effort to let the Bush tax cuts die in 2010. If that happens, it will re-impose the marriage penalty, reduce deductions for children, and bring back the "death tax," which means you'll still be paying taxes after your demise.

Of great significance, an end to the Bush tax cuts will raise the minimum tax category from 10% to 15%. In other words, it will hit hardest those least able to pay, essentially raising their tax bill by 50%.

Obviously, there are many reasons to oppose Jason Altmire. However, perhaps the most important consideration is the need John McCain will have for a supportive Congress.

Recently, Democratic presidential front-runner Barack Obama made comments denigrating the religious beliefs and "hunting culture" of Pennsylvanians. Essentially, Obama called the people of Pennsylvania a bunch of gun-toting, Bible-thumping rubes and bigots. We are not.

So far, Jason Altmire has made no statement criticizing Obama's statements. Senator McCain and Melissa Hart strongly disagree with Obama's offensive comments. Are we to take Altmire's silence as a sign that he agrees with Illinois Senator? Jason, in some cases "silence is golden," but in this case it's a sign of political cowardice.

If you're voting for McCain, it makes no sense to vote for Altmire. Why elect McCain and at the same time tie his hands behind his back? Why make it impossible for him to carry out the mandate he will get from American voters?

In other words, anyone who wants to support John McCain should avoid sending Altmire back to Congress. One of the best ways to stand with McCain is to cast a ballot for Melissa Hart. Please go to her web site to see how you can help.

McCain, Altmire, and Melissa Hart

Today (Saturday), I'm cross-posting from my Pennsylvania site (http://pennsylvaniaforjohnmccain.blogspot.com). Melissa Hart's site is at: http://peoplewithhart.com/.

Starting this weekend, I'm be writing more about congressional candidate Melissa Hart and her opponent, a loathsome creature named Jason Altmire. He won the seat in 2006 mainly by spewing falsehoods about Melissa --she called them "a pack of lies" -- and by making false promises to the voters of the 4th congressional district (where I live).

For example, he told the voters he opposed a "timetable" for withdrawal from Iraq. However, when he got to Congress and Nancy Pelosi and John Murtha showed him the Democratic "trick," he fell all over himself to vote for the timetable. He claimed to be pro-life, but in Washington he voted for federal funding of embryonic stem-cell research. He claimed -- and claims -- to be a conservative Democrat, but he voted for the largest tax increase in history. His motto seems to be: "Ask me no questions, and I'll tell you no truths." He's a piece of work, and he must be defeated.

Please visit Melissa's web site (http://peoplewithhart.com) and offer your support. If you can make a donation, I assure you it will be much appreciated.The Hart-Altmire will be one of the nation's most important. The national Democrat Party is pouring money into the race in order to prop up a weak and feckless candidate, Altmire, a former lobbyist. (Please check out Altmire's campaign funding on http://opensecrets.org. As you'll note, he is selling out to every interest group that comes bearing a bag-full of cash.

How does Melissa Hart's campaign relate to that of John McCain? Frankly, everyone in the 4th Congressional District -- and the country as a whole -- that wants to support McCain needs to back candidates like Melissa. It will do little good if we send John McCain to the White House -- and confront him with a Congress full of Altmire types.

So, how can you support Melissa Hart? You can do so by linking your blog, if you have one, to Melissa's. Also, visit her site regularly. And if you can do so, please consider contributing to her campaign so you can counter the national Democrats' effort to buy the seat for Altmire.

Finally, if you know people who lives in the 4th congressional district -- mainly north and west of Pittsburgh -- please ask them to support Melissa. The best way to ensure John McCain has a successful presidency is to send people like Melissa to Congress. Thanks for your help!

Note: If you would like, please reprint this material on your own blog. The Hart-Altmire race will be the most intensely fought contest in the U.S.

Melissa Hart: Woman of Integrity

Today, I sent the following message to many fellow bloggers. If you blog, I hope you'll take the message "to Hart" (pun intended) and establish a link to Melissa's web site, which you can find at: http://peoplewithhart.com.

Dear Friends: My main activity between now and November 4, 2008 will be to participate in online activities designed to ensure the election of John McCain, something I believe will happen.My other activities will emphasize generating contributions and national support for Melissa Hart, who is fighting to regain her congressional seat in Pennsylvania's 4th District. Her opponent, Jason Altmire, is one of the smarmiest characters in the House of Representatives. He's a Pelosi-Murtha-type liberal who specializes in negative campaigning and overall malice.Most of the people receiving this note are not residents of the 4th District. However, Melissa is a friend who is precisely the kind of person we need in Congress. She's a woman of great integrity who, frankly, might make a great vice-president or president someday. To the degree she can "nationalize" her campaign, involving people across the 50 states, she improve her chances for victory.I hope you'll put up a link -- on your blog if you have one -- to her web site, which is: http://peoplewithhart.com. I also hope you'll visit and offer whatever support you can. Please direct your blog visitors to "PeoplewithHart."How are Melissa's chances? They're very good. In a bad year for Republicans -- 2006 -- she lost by 52% to 48%. With John McCain at the head of the ticket, Melissa has an excellent chance of regaining her seat. Her opponent will outspend Melissa, but he won't outwork her.

Thanks very much for linking your site to hers.

Stephen R. Maloney
4th Congressional District, Pennsylvania